The bodies of the two Fargo, N.D., residents were found after Blowers shot Douglas County Deputy Dustin Alexander in the chest Monday night while the deputy was checking a suspicious vehicle near Alexandria.

Alexander was wearing a bullet-resistant vest. He returned fire, and the suspects fled in their car but became stuck in the snow and ran away.

About four hours later, law officers found Blowers and Christopherson dead near an outbuilding. A handgun and a shotgun were found near their bodies.

Alexander is on standard administrative leave. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating.